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Whenever I try to melt the sugar on top of a creme brulee with my kitchen blow torch, I find that the sugar takes forever to discolour even slightly, let alone melt. Eventually isolated patches of sugar start to burn. At this point I usually stop as I don't want to eat burnt sugar.

I hold the torch so the flame ends just above the sugar, and I move the flame around constantly.

What I end up with is sugar that isn't totally melted into a nice layer, but is still granular but somewhat stuck together. The texture isn't right at all - I want that smooth layer of sugar.

What am I doing wrong?

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    I thought that this is expected - when I have had creme brulee or creme catalana in restaurants, the caramel layer was always slightly gritty. This is what makes the difference between creme brulee and creme caramel for me - the caramel melted on even heat before the custard is added has exactly the smooth quality you describe, which creme brulee doesn't. But I am interested in seeing the answers - maybe I have only been to bad restaurants.
    – rumtscho ♦
    Commented Aug 6, 2012 at 12:36
  • What kind of torch are you using? Is it one of those tiny butane micro-torches?
    – Aaronut
    Commented Aug 6, 2012 at 14:43
  • @Aaronut:- This isn't exactly the torch I have, but it's roughly the same size: procook.co.uk/product/procook-kitchen-torch-14-8cm
    – Nicholas
    Commented Aug 6, 2012 at 14:47
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    I'm not sure if this justifies another answer being posted, but FWIW, I've never had much luck doing making actual crème brûlée with a "crème brûlée torch". It's far easier (not to mention faster) to do with a half-decent propane torch. To boot, they're usually less expensive than the torches marketed in kitchen stores.
    – Aaronut
    Commented Aug 6, 2012 at 15:01
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    Never had much luck with those types of torches. Go buy yourself a torch with a flexible hose that attaches to the propane bottle and seperate hand unit-plumbers carry them on their belts. It allows you to keep the bottle upright but the hose lets you twist and turn the flame as you like without hassle. Also, not too much sugar on top. I like to cover the top and pour excess off then add a 1/4 tsp back again. You get a coating of sugar everywhere and the extra bit will melt fast so you can then let it flow around the top to even things up.
    – Chef Flambe
    Commented Aug 10, 2012 at 22:04

4 Answers 4

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The technique for creating a proper layer of melted sugar on your creme brulee involves three important elements:

  1. After you add the sugar, gently swirl the ramekin to create smooth layer of sugar. You don't want it too clump or be uneven.
  2. Gently 'kiss' the sugar with the tip of the flame, moving the flame around to heat evenly, just until the sugar starts to flow.
  3. Hold and rotate the ramekin to cause the melting sugar to flow around the cup and form an even layer.

Your goal is to distribute the heat, and sugar, evenly and smoothly around the top of your custard.

The technique to use is easier to pick this up by seeing it rather than reading about it. Alton Brown did a segment on Creme Brulee on Good Eats where he demonstrates the technique.

(if the link fails, you can Google "Alton Brown Creme Brulee on You Tube")

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  • Video link was broken, replaced with a new link.
    – Cos Callis
    Commented Mar 16, 2017 at 13:57
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A few tips follow that may apply in your case:

  • Before baking the brulees, use the torch on any bubbles formed in the liquid custard so that uneven patches don't become baked-in.
  • Use fine grained (caster) sugar so that any unmelted crystals will be less noticeable.
  • Swirl the sugar around in the ramekin and then get rid of excess sugar by tossing it onto a tray. This way you only have a very thin layer of sugar crystals to melt.
  • Brown the sugar in two passes of the flame to avoid overcooking the top of the custard. The first pass should only melt the sugar, brown it on the second pass.
  • Use the tip of the light blue part of the flame for browning (at least this is the case when you are using the smaller brulee torch). Sweep back and forth as if mowing a lawn.
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I've caramelised thousands of creme brulees and I find that these points will help you.

1) Dry your custard surface of water/condensation

2) Use caster/ demerara sugar that is dry (not clumpy from moisture/humidity)

3) Put a spoonful of sugar in the middle; swirl ramekin or you can turn the ramekin in your hand and tap the side with your finger.

You want an even layer of sugar

4) Before you use a torch, it is important to understand the following concept. : Familiarise yourself with how water boils ; the point where it turns from liquid to gas.

  • In the same way, Sugar will melt from the heat of the torch. At the point there are bubbles, it is the point before it burns. (Ie - Water to gas)

5) With a blowtorch, what i feel works best is to use the hottest/strongest flame and to hit the sugar as close to the surface as possible.

  • With reference to point 4, you take away the heat when your caramel starts bubbling. As that is the furthest point u can take your sugar before it becoming totally burnt.

6) Moving the torch in a circular motion, you should end up with a fabulous caramelised sugar crust that cracks. ( And yes. it only cracks when the top has cooled down adequately - Patience is difficult at this time but oh so worth it when u crack through into an amazing lush custard)

7) Time is of essence as too much heat for too long will heat up the custard beneath. You want it to be slightly warm on the caramel layer and a cool custard.

Enjoy folks!

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Use powdered sugar/ icing sugar dust lightly using a sieve and build layers of golden crunchy caramel

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